The OECD has developed guiding principles covering all the fundamentals of process safety addressed to both industry and public authorities.
Chemical accident prevention, preparedness and response
Major chemical accidents persist on a global scale and can result in fatalities, injuries, extensive environmental contamination and substantial economic setbacks. The OECD supports public authorities, industry, labour and other stakeholders in preventing chemical accidents and ensuring an appropriate response in the event of their occurrence.
Key messages
The OECD is working on how to effectively apply lessons learned from chemical accidents, with a particular focus on organisational and individual learning.
The OECD has developed the Corporate Governance for Process Safety: Guidance for Senior Leaders in High Hazard Industry. It aims to establish good practice for senior decision-makers who have the authority to influence the direction and culture of their organisation and identify the essential elements of corporate governance for process safety.
The OECD is working on identifying the main challenges and safety risks to the development of new energy sources.
The OECD has been working on the impact of natural hazards on hazardous installations (Natech) for many years to identify the specificities of Natech risks and good practices for risk management.
Preventing chemical accidents
In June 2023, the OECD Council adopted a Decision-Recommendation concerning Chemical Accident Prevention, Preparedness and Response to ensure a high standard and commitment to prevent, prepare and respond to chemical accidents to better protect people and the environment.
The Decision-Recommendation comes with its supporting technical guidance, the Third Edition of the Guiding Principles on Chemical Accident Prevention, Preparedness and Response.
Risks from Natural Hazards at Hazardous Installations (Natech)
Natural hazards such as earthquakes and floods can initiate events which challenge the safety and operation at hazardous installations. Accidents triggered by such events are known as ‘Natech’ - Natural Hazards Triggering Technological Accidents.
The OECD works with the European Commission Joint Research Center, the UNEP/OCHA Joint Environment Unit, and UNECE to investigate the specificities of Natech, exchange experience across countries and provide guidance on Natech risk management.
International efforts for industrial and chemical accidents prevention, preparedness and response
The OECD works in close cooperation with partner agencies through the Inter-Agency Coordination Group on Industrial/Chemical Accidents, an informal forum that brings together international organisations and institutions working on prevention of, preparedness for and response to industrial and chemical accidents. The group aims to support coordination of the programmes of the agencies, improve the use of resources and avoid duplication of work.
OECD Series on Chemical Accidents
The series on chemical accidents covers such topics as safety performance indicators, accident prevention, preparedness for accidents and response to accidents.
